Glaucoma research to be led by internationally renowned glaucoma surgeon Ike Ahmed, MD, FRCSC, distinguished research scientist Fiona McDonnell, PhD, and Ian Pitha, MD, PhD, associate director of the Alan S. Crandall Center for Glaucoma Innovation.
ViaLase, Inc. announced a research partnership with the John A. Moran Eye Center at the University of Utah (Moran Eye Center), home to the renowned Alan S. Crandall Center for Glaucoma Innovation (Crandall Center).
The collaboration will explore aqueous outflow dynamics of ViaLase’s novel ViaLase laser procedure, utilizing Moran’s state-of-the-art iPerfusion technology.
The ViaLase laser procedure delivers precise femtosecond laser pulses with micron-accurate image guidance to create apertures through the trabecular meshwork (TM) and into Schlemm’s canal. Utilizing perfusion technology to study how aqueous humor drains from the eye through the conventional outflow pathway, researchers will explore the effect of creating multiple channels as well as the optimal locations of these channels, which is key to understanding the IOP-lowering effect of the ViaLase procedure.
This partnership underscores ViaLase’s commitment to advancing incision-free solutions for managing glaucoma, a leading cause of irreversible blindness. The research will be led by Ike Ahmed, MD, FRCSC, an internationally acclaimed glaucoma surgeon and thought leader, who also serves as the director of the Crandall Center.
Joining Dr. Ahmed is Fiona McDonnell, PhD, a renowned research scientist with specialized expertise in iPerfusion techniques, and Ian Pitha, MD, PhD, who is associate director of the Crandall Center.
The Crandall Center, named in honor of the late Dr. Alan S. Crandall, is dedicated to revolutionizing glaucoma care through high-impact initiatives, including personalized medicine, neuroprotective therapies, and translational research.
The center’s cutting-edge capabilities will play a pivotal role in assessing various aspects of ViaLase’s procedure.
“Our collaboration with ViaLase perfectly aligns with the Crandall Center’s mission to transform glaucoma treatment through precision medicine and innovation,” said Dr. Ahmed. “The ViaLase procedure has the potential to provide a new paradigm in interventional glaucoma, and we are thrilled to explore its possibilities using Moran’s advanced research capabilities.”
ViaLase CEO Tibor Juhasz, PhD, added, “Partnering with the Moran Eye Center, Dr. Ahmed, Prof. McDonnell and Dr. Pitha is a significant milestone for ViaLase. Their world-class expertise in iPerfusion research techniques offers unparalleled insights into aqueous humor outflow and intraocular pressure dynamics, making them an ideal collaborator in our mission to develop innovative solutions for patients with glaucoma. This capability, combined with ViaLase’s pioneering femtosecond laser platform, offers the potential for significant advancements in glaucoma care.”